Last week, former personal assistant on prosecution to Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was arrested in Ugep in Yakurr LGA by policemen and detained at the state Police command in Calabar over a petition by a lawmaker, representing Yakurr State constituency, Cyril Omini. In this piece, the traditional chief and senior legal expert, recounts his sordid experience…
My Ordeal in Police Custody
By Chief Okoi Obono-Obla
On Thursday, 19th February 2026, I was walking to my grand uncle’s house at Bikobiko Town in Ugep Urban, Yakurr Local Government Area, to meet Chief Ubi Itam Ettah, who had invited me for a discussion concerning the APC Ward congresses that had taken place in Ugep the previous day.
Suddenly, I saw five vehicles approaching. Three of them were painted in the colors of the Nigeria Police Force, while the other two were Hilux vehicles without police markings.
More than ten police officers emerged and, in loud voices, ordered me to enter one of the vehicles. I asked who they were and what I had done, but they commanded me to keep quiet.
I told them I am a Traditional Ruler and that they should not treat me in such a shabby and horrible manner. Instead, they shoved me violently and bundled me into the vehicle. I was sandwiched between two armed police officers, and one of them ordered me to bring out my hands, after which he handcuffed me. They drove off to an undisclosed destination.
It was only halfway through the journey that I realized they were probably heading to Calabar. At Akamkpa Local Government Area, they stopped to ease themselves. I requested permission to ease myself as well, but they refused, saying I would have to wait until we reached Calabar. I was compelled to hold myself throughout the three-hour journey, despite the fact that I take high blood pressure medication which requires frequent urination.
Most importantly, prior to 19th February 2026, the Nigeria Police Force had never invited me—whether verbally, by phone call, or by SMS—to report to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, or to any other police officer in the country concerning the matter for which they abducted me.
Their actions were carried out in a Gestapo-like manner, reminiscent of Germany during the Third Reich or Nigeria under military rule.
Upon arrival at the SCID State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, I was informed that Cyril James Omini, a Member of the Cross River State House of Assembly from my hometown, had petitioned against me over a matter already before the Court since 2020.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwali – Gwagwalada, Abuja, had previously ordered the Inspector General of Police on the matter having withdrawn the Charge against me not to bring any other charge or similar charge without the leave of the Court, the Court having dismissed the charge.
I was detained from about 11:30 a.m. on 19th February 2026 until about 5:00 p.m. on 20th February 2026.
Conclusion: This experience was not only humiliating but also deeply troubling, as it disregarded both my traditional status and my fundamental rights. It remains a stark reminder of the need for justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity in the enforcement of law.
